title: A simplified routine assay for urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol.
abstract: Urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) level may provide us with a biochemical index for central noradrenergic activity. Previous methods for assaying MHPG in urine often lacked specificity, sensitivity, cost-effectiveness or convenience. We now describe a simplified routine assay for urinary MHPG by high-pressure liquid chromatography using electrochemical detection. For convenience and cost-effectiveness within a typical batch assay of total MHPG, 0.5 mL of urine sample, 50 microL of glusulase and 4 micrograms iso-vanillyl alcohol (internal standard) were used to hydrolyze conjugated MHPG at 37 degrees C overnight. Alternatively, for a same-day operation, it is efficient to hydrolyze the sample at 50 degrees C for 3 hours. Each sample was separated isocratically on a reversed-phase column (Ultracarb 5 ODS) at 25 degrees C with the flow rate at 1 mL/min. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were found to be 4.0% (n = 10) and 5.0% (n = 27), respectively, for MHPG at a mean concentration of 1.9 mg/L. Sulfatase or glucuronidase can be substituted for glusulase to obtain either sulfate- or glucuronide-conjugated MHPG. This procedure requires smaller sample amounts and less preparation time without compromising sensitivity and reproducibility.
authors.affiliation: VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA, USA.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wilds
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: van Kammen
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013429:Sulfatases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; C023059:glusulase; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D013429:Sulfatases; D005966:Glucuronidase